Government staff is paid by Saskatchewan taxpayers to work for Saskatchewan people. But, it was revealed yesterday in the media that the Premier’s Chief of Operations asked government officials to use their work hours on the public dime to do some research for her so she could use her Office at the Legislature to help a candidate in the Sask. Party leadership race.

As Premier Wall leaves the Legislature for the last time as Premier, he leaves a Sask. Party government that continues to make Saskatchewan people pay for Sask. Party mismanagement, scandal and waste.

“We congratulate the Premier for his many years of service to the province and wish him well in whatever comes next,” said NDP Leader Nicole Sarauer. “The end of session and the changes happening in the leadership of our parties, don’t change the struggles being faced by Saskatchewan people and they don’t change our resolve to keep fighting for those people against the Sask. Party’s heartless cuts and unfair tax hikes.”

According that the latest job figures from Statistics Canada, there are 6,400 fewer people working in Saskatchewan than last year. Over the last year, more jobs were lost in Saskatchewan than in any other province in the country.

“This is not news to the hard-working people I talk to who are struggling to make ends meet but we have to hope that it will be a wake-up call to the Sask. Party who have been ignoring reality,” said NDP Jobs Critic Vicki Mowat. “The Sask. Party’s approach of cutting important programs and services and giving tax breaks to the wealthy and well-connected is doing nothing to create or even protect Saskatchewan jobs.”